The difference

I see two types of photographs: the ones that mean to record an event or place so the mind can be later jogged, and the other, more involved and profound, that are an artistic expression of one's creativity.


M.Zuiko 9-18mm (at 9mm) f7.1 1/80sec

I find myself drawn to the latter.
As light and shapes are constantly evolving in front of my eyes, sometimes present for only a split of a second, my skill to capture the moment is tested; I have to think fast and move swiftly.

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The reason

The reason for this blog.
For years I have been publishing on my main blog: Gnarly Dog News.
My primary interest was to publish my finding about sea kayaking and less about backpacking, often going deeply into the technical aspect of gear and its modifications.
I have a passion for tinkering and designing, and Gnarly Dog News is my outlet to share it with others.



But there is part of me that values highly the aesthetic streak I have, particularly photography, stills and motion.
I call it type B personality, where form is more important than function.
For too long I have been mixing it up at GnarlyDog News: fibreglassing and pumps with poignant images of sunsets. The two often didn't gel.

At GnarlyDog VIEWS things are simpler: a site dedicated to my best photographic efforts. No tech talk; well unless it takes a life of its own and I suddenly start to rant about cameras, lenses and such.


M.Zuiko 12-50mm (at12mm) f6.3 1/80sec  photo: Petra Ries ©
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Dog walk at low tide

There is a special relationship between a dog and man; one can tell a lot from their interaction.


M.Zuiko 45mm f3.5 1/3200sec

Puddle jump

Inspired by the iconic classic image of the jumping of a puddle this image is the antithesis of that environment.


M.Zuiko 9-18mm (at 9mm) f5.6 1/250sec

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Simple camping

Camping is part of my happiness.
To keep myself grounded I feel the need to go outside, away from my home, sleep on the ground.
A very light shelter to keep me dry and a warm sleeping bag are essentials; I try to keep the rest to a minimum to fit inside a small backpack.


Lumix G 20mm  f1.7  1/640sec



M.Zuiko 9-18mm (at 18mm) f5.6  1/60sec

Away from the city and its distractions time slows down and my eyes open to take-in what the natural surroundings offer me instead. The little things that I can not notice while preoccupied with my mundane urban life suddenly come into view when in the bush.
And the friends I choose to share my outings with can receive my attention, I have time to listen to them.


M.Zuiko 9-18mm (at 9mm) f5.6  6sec

My shelter is simple: a thin modern tepee that lets the ground be felt.
A bit of grass, leaves and bark, a small rock in the corner, are all part of my new home.


M.Zuiko 9-18mm (at 9mm) f5.6  105sec

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Åland sunsets

The light was so incredibly soft and the shadows long.
The summer of 2014 was an exceptionally warm one on the Baltic sea and now I was walking around barefoot close to the Arctic Circle.
The rock warmed by the sun while the air had a light chill: the sunset was approaching.



Olympus E-M5 and E-PM2 with M.Zuiko 12-50mmEZ and 14-42mm IIR


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Wet spiders

The light mist was still clinging onto the spider webs while the sun was trying to break through the clouds.
I looked across the field behind my tent and I noticed the white glow of the webs scattered in the grass.


M.Zuiko 14-42mmEZ (at 42mm) f5.6 1/160



M.Zuiko 14-42mmEZ (at 42mm) f5.6 1/125



M.Zuiko 9-18mm (at 18mm) f5.6 1/20



M.Zuiko 14-42mmEZ (at 42mm) f5.6 1/250



M.Zuiko 14-42mmEZ (at 42mm) f6.3 1/125


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The little things

A wet weekend forecast for Easter did not stop me removing myself from the city and head bush instead.
The light rain made me change my plans of a big walk with my backpack; I stayed put in the same remote place for a 3 nights.
That allowed me to slow down and become more observant noticing the little things, lower to the ground.


M. Zuiko 9-18mm (at 18mm) f8 1/60sec



M. Zuiko 14-42mmEZ (at 14mm) f11 1/25sec